On Monday, Jan. 20, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting a free admission day to bring together art and community. Lets take a look at the the Museum’s successful event, which welcomed over 1,700 visitors to a day full of entertainment, art activities and dialogue!

Guests spent the day at the Museum exploring artists whose work investigates social justice, human rights and world peace. Some art activities included on this day were paper weaving inspired by the Freedom Riders, paper sculpture monuments inspired by John Isiah Walton of Level Artist Collective, a dream wall inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., a gumbo pot collage inspired by Leah Chase and more!

The O was thrilled to have a number of community partners join in on the celebration! Information tables were set up throughout the Museum to provide visitors access to resources in their communities. This year’s community partners included 826 New Orleans, After Class, Bike Easy, Community Works, Electric Girls, Evacuteer.org, Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners, Macaroni Kids, National Alliance on Mental Illness, New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, New Orleans Parish Library, STAR: Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response, Tulane School of Medicine’s Brinton Family Health and Healing Center and Young Audiences. The O also accepted book donations for Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners during the MLK Day celebration.

Performance by Artivism Dance Theatre

Guests also enjoyed healthy plant based food from Tanjariné Kitchen. While enjoying great food, guests were able to engage in performances by Artivism Dance Theatre, Dancing Grounds, New Orleans Youth Open Mic, Welcoming Project, Bard Early College Poetry Club and DJ Heelturn.

We are so thankful to everyone who came out to honor Dr. King and his legacy, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you again next year! Check out more photos from the event below!